Clozapine

Jonathan M. Meyer; Stephen M. Stahl

doi:10.1017/9781009002103.016

13 - Clozapine

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 19 October 2021

Jonathan M. Meyer and

Stephen M. Stahl

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Jonathan M. Meyer: Affiliation:
University of California, San Diego
Stephen M. Stahl: Affiliation:
University of California, Riverside and San Diego

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Summary

Many clinicians not trained in the use of plasma antipsychotic levels are still familiar with the concept that levels are used commonly during clozapine treatment [2]. Clozapine occupies a special place in the management of severely mentally ill patients as it is the only effective antipsychotic for treatment-resistant schizophrenia, and for schizophrenia patients with aggression, polydipsia, or a history of suicidality [3]. Approximately one-third of schizophrenia patients are treatment resistant, but one limitation to clozapine use is prescriber fear of adverse effects, or lack of comfort with managing clozapine’s spectrum of relatively unusual adverse effects [4, 5].

Type: Chapter
Information: The Clinical Use of Antipsychotic Plasma Levels
Stahl's Handbooks
, pp. 249 - 266

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009002103.016 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2021

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